School counselors are vital members of the education team found in each West Ada school building.  Through the implementation of a comprehensive school counseling program, school counselors assist all students in the areas of academic achievement, personal/social development and career development.  School counselors provide short-term individual counseling, group counseling, and guidance curriculum.  School counselors also help connect students and their families to a variety of community resources.  Each school counselor or school social worker has a Pupil Personnel certificate from the Idaho State Department of Education.  The minimum education requirement for this certification is a master's degree in school counseling or social work.

The Role of the School Counselor:

Offers short-term, solution focused, individual and group counseling (group counseling is based on availability).

Teaches whole group class lessons with district approved curriculum

Observes students in various settings

Consults and collaborates with parents, staff, students, and community agencies

Provides community referrals and resources for families

Coordinates Section 504 Accommodation Plans

Provides support during a crisis

The School Counselor:

Promotes a safe, caring, climate and a positive school experience for all students

Guides and supports students with personal, social, and academic goals

Encourages students to have healthy perceptions of themselves

Inspires students to show kindness, respect, and empathy toward others

Advocates for students, and empowers students to make positive choices, by using appropriate tools for problem-solving and decision making

Individual School Counseling is..

Offered in a confidential and supportive setting

Conducted on a one-on-one basis

Short-term in nature, and often occurs in 1-3 sessions

Available to ALL students K-5

Meant to meet any immediate student needs or concerns

Not long-term therapy. For students with acute mental health issues (e.g. Eating Disorders, Abuse, Depression, Anxiety, etc.), a referral to an outside mental health provider can be provided to parents.

Typical Reasons to visit the School Counselor:

Handling feelings

A school related problem

A family issue

Friendship assistance

Reporting a concern

New to the school

Please Note: School counselors do not provide on-going individual counseling or therapy in the school setting. Referrals to outside agencies and services are available for your child upon request for a wide range of mental health or situational concerns.

Counseling and Confidentiality:

The counseling relationship between students and their school counselor requires an atmosphere of trust and confidence. Students will be informed that exceptions to confidentiality exist in which counselors must inform others of information they obtained in the counseling relationship in order to prevent serious and foreseeable harm to students themselves or others, or if the information is legally required to be shared. 

Referral Process:

Referrals for students to see the school counselor typically come from parents, staff and students. Students can fill in a counselor slip, found in each classroom, and drop it in the mailbox of the counselor.  Or they can write their own note and place it in the counselor mailbox. Staff and parents may contact the counselor at any time via phone or email.

For issues beyond the scope of a school counselor, and/or when more intensive, long-term services may be needed, parents may request referrals for outside counseling services. Referrals provided for parents/guardians or unaccompanied youth are as a courtesy, for information only. As an employee of the West Ada School District, School Counselors do not endorse, approve, or screen any providers and there are no assurances or guarantees regarding providers. Referral information is not inclusive of all agencies or organizations that provide the service, and the omission of an agency, service, or organization does not imply disapproval. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian/unaccompanied youth to determine whether an agency, service, organization meets their specific needs.

Mrs. Julie Radek

Phone: 208-855-4285

E-mail: radek.julie@westada.org